Two trainees from Tawau were awarded as the best student in the Basic Pastry Skills course programme organised by Sabah Cheshire Home (SCH) and Asian Tourism International (ATI) College.

The two trainees acquired the full sponsorship from Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU).

Twenty one years old, Angeline Yee Wan Sin, from Tawau won the “Excellent Performance Award Year 2014” during the programme. She was awarded for her overall performance during the past nine months. Angeline who is handicapped with deafness, speaks sign language for communications.

Regina Wong, a sign language speaker interpreted for Angeline.

The youngest child among seven siblings said that she was happy to be chosen as the excellence performance trainee award in her course and felt her tremendous effort was not in vain and she made her institution proud.

Both her parents did not work, her father being a retiree and her mother is a housewife. She hoped she could work with the bakery in SCH and support her parents.

She said she was willing to work hard and gain as much experience as possible to compete with others.

She loves making dessert; she said adding that she was inspired by a chef who worked in the bakery when she was 15 years old. Her interest resulted in her being the best trainee.

Meanwhile, “Most Improved Award Year 2014” was awarded to Zurina Sultang, 23, who lived in Kampung Pasir Putih, Tawau. The award accorded to her as most improved trainee.

She thanked the institution for helping her in gaining her certificate.

“I never expected to win this award. I was pleasantly surprised. I really love pastry and I’m glad that I’ve joined this programme,” she said.

On her background, she said she was the third child among four siblings and both of her older siblings were currently working as teachers. Her mother was a full-time housewife while her father worked in Tawau District Forestry Office.

She had submitted her application to certain universities like International Islamic University Malaysia (UIUM), University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Teknologi MARA and Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic (PKK).

“I’m willing to apply to any institution as long as there are culinary and pastry art programme in the institutions. It has been my passion ever since. If I’m not accepted to the institution, I’m willing to work from home by selling cake and bun,” she added.

According to her, she won the award as her impediment was not too serious; being able to hear with the left ear.

“I always help my friends since I’m not that totally physically challenged compared to them. I also remain positive in times of trouble because positivity plays a vital role in our life. By training your brain to stay positive when times are tough will give a positive state of mind,” she added.

She was not fluent in sign language but soon managed to grasp it after she enrolled in the institution.- By Saila Saidie/Sayangsabah